EP3995788A1 - Dispositif et procédé de mesure de l'écoulement d'un fluide dans un tube déplacé par une pompe péristaltique - Google Patents

Dispositif et procédé de mesure de l'écoulement d'un fluide dans un tube déplacé par une pompe péristaltique Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3995788A1
EP3995788A1 EP21207025.4A EP21207025A EP3995788A1 EP 3995788 A1 EP3995788 A1 EP 3995788A1 EP 21207025 A EP21207025 A EP 21207025A EP 3995788 A1 EP3995788 A1 EP 3995788A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tube
peristaltic pump
charge variation
calibration
rotation speed
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP21207025.4A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP3995788B1 (fr
Inventor
Michele Alessio DELLUTRI
Fabio Passaniti
Enrico Rosario Alessi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
STMicroelectronics SRL
Original Assignee
STMicroelectronics SRL
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by STMicroelectronics SRL filed Critical STMicroelectronics SRL
Publication of EP3995788A1 publication Critical patent/EP3995788A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3995788B1 publication Critical patent/EP3995788B1/fr
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F1/00—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
    • G01F1/56—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using electric or magnetic effects
    • G01F1/64—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using electric or magnetic effects by measuring electrical currents passing through the fluid flow; measuring electrical potential generated by the fluid flow, e.g. by electrochemical, contact or friction effects
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
    • F04B43/00—Machines, pumps, or pumping installations having flexible working members
    • F04B43/12—Machines, pumps, or pumping installations having flexible working members having peristaltic action
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
    • F04B49/00—Control, e.g. of pump delivery, or pump pressure of, or safety measures for, machines, pumps, or pumping installations, not otherwise provided for, or of interest apart from, groups F04B1/00 - F04B47/00
    • F04B49/06—Control using electricity
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F1/00—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
    • G01F1/704—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow using marked regions or existing inhomogeneities within the fluid stream, e.g. statistically occurring variations in a fluid parameter
    • G01F1/7046—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow using marked regions or existing inhomogeneities within the fluid stream, e.g. statistically occurring variations in a fluid parameter using electrical loaded particles as tracer, e.g. ions or electrons
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F1/00—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
    • G01F1/704—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow using marked regions or existing inhomogeneities within the fluid stream, e.g. statistically occurring variations in a fluid parameter
    • G01F1/7046—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow using marked regions or existing inhomogeneities within the fluid stream, e.g. statistically occurring variations in a fluid parameter using electrical loaded particles as tracer, e.g. ions or electrons
    • G01F1/7048—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow using marked regions or existing inhomogeneities within the fluid stream, e.g. statistically occurring variations in a fluid parameter using electrical loaded particles as tracer, e.g. ions or electrons the concentration of electrical loaded particles giving an indication of the flow

Definitions

  • the present solution relates to a device and a method for measuring the flow of a fluid in a tube, in particular the fluid being moved by a peristaltic pump.
  • flowmeters Devices for measuring the flow of a fluid inside a duct or tube (so-called flowmeters) based on various measurement techniques or principles are known; for example, electromagnetic, infrared, ultrasonic flowmeters, or flowmeters based on the use of pressure sensors are known.
  • the operating principle of an electromagnetic flowmeter is based on the Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction.
  • a conductive fluid flows through a magnetic field generated by the sensor, between a corresponding pair of electrodes facing the tube in which the fluid flows, an electromotive force is generated proportional to the flow, perpendicular to the direction of the same flow and to the magnetic field; the electrical output signal is modulated by the flow speed.
  • Mass flow measurement of bulk solids in pneumatic pipelines describes various techniques for measuring the flow of solid elements moving through pneumatic pipelines.
  • this document describes the possibility of electrostatically charging solid particles in a first chamber, by applying a high voltage, and detecting a corresponding electrical signal in a second chamber, indicative of the flow of the same particles.
  • Fluidic systems are also known wherein the movement of liquid is based on the use of peristaltic pumps.
  • Peristaltic pumps generally comprise a rotor having a certain number of "roller” elements coupled to its outer circumference, for externally compressing a duct or flexible tube wherein the fluid to be moved is located. As a result of the rotation of the rotor, the compressed part of the tube is pinched and closed, thus forcing the fluid to be pumped to move through the tube.
  • Peristaltic pumps do not have parts that come into contact with the fluid inside the tube, thus excluding possible contamination of the fluid by the pump, or of the pump by the same fluid. This characteristic makes peristaltic pumps particularly suitable for use in applications where a high degree of purity and sterility is required, for example in the case of transfer or dosage of chemicals for medical or industrial applications, or in the case of food industry and in particular of preparation and packaging of beverages.
  • the aim of the present solution is to provide a measurement of the flow of a fluid in a tube, in particular being moved by a peristaltic pump, which allows the drawbacks of the known solutions to be overcome and in particular allows even low flow rates to be detected with limited consumption, costs and size.
  • an aspect of the present solution envisages, for measuring the flow of a fluid inside a tube moved by a peristaltic pump, a measuring device based on the use of an electrostatic charge variation sensor and on the processing of a charge variation signal detected by this sensor.
  • electrostatic charges are generated on the surface of the duct or tube due to the triboelectric effect.
  • the electrostatic charge is generated on the inner walls of the tube due to the continuous compression and decompression of the same tube due to pinching by the roller elements of the peristaltic pump and to the subsequent release.
  • a tube portion is compressed; at the immediately following time (t+1) the rotor shifts its compression action to the following section of the tube, causing the decompression of the previous section.
  • the electrostatic variation caused by the action of the peristaltic pump on the tube and propagated along the tube itself may therefore be measured through a suitable electrode arrangement coupled to the tube downstream of the aforementioned contact area with the peristaltic pump, for the generation of an electrical charge variation signal that, through a cable, may be provided to a signal processing stage.
  • the present Applicant has realized that it is possible to obtain, from processing of this electrical charge variation signal, in particular from the analysis of frequency characteristics thereof, measurement and/or monitoring information of the flow of the fluid inside the tube.
  • a measuring device 1 for measuring the flow of fluid inside a tube 2 for example a silicone flexible hose, is now described according to an aspect of the present solution.
  • a peristaltic pump 3 is coupled to the tube 2, forming a fluidic circuit with the same tube 2, and comprises a rotor 4, which carries roller elements 5 at an outer surface thereof. These roller elements 5 are designed to come into contact with the tube 2 to exert a compression action on the same tube 2 at a contact area, denoted as an example with 11, during rotation of the rotor 4.
  • the measuring device 1 comprises a detection electrode arrangement 6 coupled to the tube 2, downstream of the aforementioned contact area 11 with respect to the flow of the fluid; preferably, this detection electrode arrangement 6 is placed in proximity to the contact area, that is in proximity to the contact area 11 between the roller elements 5 of the peristaltic pump 3 and the tube 2, for detection of the aforementioned electrostatic charge variation.
  • the detection electrode arrangement 6 may be installed at a distance of a few (up to a few tens of) centimeters from the body of the peristaltic pump 3. Longer distances may in fact attenuate the electrical charge variation signal; shorter distances may instead favor the induction of spurious signals, due to movements of mechanical parts of the peristaltic pump 3 (not relevant for the measurement purposes) and/or to fields generated by a power supply thereof.
  • the detection electrode arrangement 6 may comprise: a first detection electrode 6a, having a ring shape and arranged around the tube 2 downstream of and in proximity to the aforementioned contact area 11, for example by means of suitable constraint means; and a second detection electrode 6b, placed above the first detection electrode 6a, separated from the latter by a dielectric region 7.
  • the aforementioned dielectric region 7 also has a ring shape, on and corresponding to the first detection electrode 6a, whereas the second detection electrode 6b has a different configuration, for example substantially rectangular on the same dielectric region 7.
  • the measuring device 1 further comprises: a signal processing stage 8, electrically coupled to the detection electrode arrangement 6 through an electric cable 9 and forming, as discussed in detail hereinafter, a high impedance stage for the generation of an electrical charge variation signal S Q ; and a processing unit 10, coupled to the output of the aforementioned signal processing stage 8 for receiving and suitably processing the electrical charge variation signal S Q to obtain information on the flow of the fluid that flows through the tube 2.
  • the processing unit 10 may comprise, for example, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or an MLC (Machine Learning Core) processor residing in an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) electronic circuit.
  • a microcontroller for example, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or an MLC (Machine Learning Core) processor residing in an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) electronic circuit.
  • Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment of the aforementioned signal processing stage 8, which has two differential inputs 8a, 8b electrically connected to the above first and second detection electrodes 6a, 6b through the electric cable 9 (not illustrated here).
  • the signal processing stage 8 comprises an instrumentation amplifier 12, having a differential input coupled to the aforementioned differential inputs 8a, 8b, between which an input capacitor C I and an input resistor R I are connected, in parallel to each other.
  • an input voltage V d across the input capacitor C I therefore varies due to the aforementioned electrostatic charge generation process caused by the triboelectric effect following the action of the peristaltic pump 3.
  • the first detection electrode 6a arranged closer to the tube 2, is designed to mainly detect the charge variation due to the effect of the peristaltic pump 3 on the tube 2, as well as detecting interfering effects present in the surrounding environment (e.g. due to low frequency electrical fields of the power supply voltage); whereas the second detection electrode 6b is designed to mainly detect the aforementioned interfering effects.
  • the input voltage V d is therefore substantially immune to the aforementioned noise.
  • the instrumentation amplifier 12 is essentially formed by two operational amplifiers OP1 and OP2, having noninverting input terminals connected respectively to the first and to the second differential inputs 8a, 8b and inverting terminals connected to each other through a gain resistor R G2 .
  • a biasing stage (buffer) OP3 biases the instrumentation amplifier 12 to a common mode voltage V CM , through a resistor R 1 coupled to the second differential input 8b.
  • the output terminals of the operational amplifiers OP1 and OP2 are connected to the respective inverting input terminals through a respective gain resistor R G1 ; an output voltage V d ' is present between the same output terminals.
  • the gain Ad of the instrumentation amplifier 12 is equal to (1+2 ⁇ R G1 /R G2 ); therefore, the aforementioned output voltage V d ' is equal to: V d ⁇ (1+2 ⁇ R G1 /R G2 ).
  • the components of the instrumentation amplifier 12 are chosen such that the same instrumentation amplifier 12 has a reduced noise and a high impedance (for example of the order of 10 9 Ohm) in its passband (for example comprised between 0 and 500 Hz).
  • the aforementioned output voltage V d ' is provided to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 14, which outputs the aforementioned charge variation signal S Q for the processing unit 10.
  • ADC analog-to-digital converter
  • This charge variation signal S Q is, for example, a (e.g. 16 or 24 bit) high resolution digital stream.
  • the instrumentation amplifier 12 may be omitted, in this case the input voltage V d being supplied directly to the input of the analog-to-digital converter 14.
  • the processing unit 10 is configured to receive the charge variation signal S Q and process it to obtain information relating to the speed and flow of the fluid inside the tube 2; as will be disclosed hereinafter, the processing unit 10 is also designed to obtain information about the type of fluid present inside the tube 2.
  • the operations carried out by the processing unit 10 envisage: transforming and processing the charge variation signal S Q in the frequency domain, for the determination of characteristics of the main harmonics (in terms of the corresponding frequency and amplitude); and determining the type of fluid circulating in the tube 2 based on the aforementioned characteristics of the main harmonics and also based on the characteristics of the fluidic circuit formed by the tube 2 and by the peristaltic pump 3.
  • the processing of the charge variation signal S Q is also based on a preliminary calibration operation of the fluidic circuit comprising the tube 2, the fluid flowing through the same tube 2 and the peristaltic pump 3.
  • this calibration operation provides for determining the characteristics of the most significant harmonics of the charge variation signal S Q at various and specific rotation speeds, expressed in RPM (Revolutions Per Minute), of the peristaltic pump 3, and with various types of fluids inside the tube 2 (for example, in a possible implementation, in the presence of water, or only air, circulating in the same tube 2).
  • the present Applicant has realized that, as shown by the plots of Figures 4A-4B and 5A-5B , the main harmonics of the charge variation signal S Q have substantially the same frequency values, at the various rotation speeds of the peristaltic pump 3, regardless of the type of fluid that flows inside the tube 2 (for example, both in the presence of water and air); the frequency of the harmonics is in fact dependent on the characteristics of the peristaltic pump 3 and in particular on the rotation speed thereof.
  • Figures 4A and 5A show (for the cases of water and, respectively, of air present in the tube 2) the harmonics of the charge variation signal S Q (in terms of frequency and amplitude) at various rotation speed values of the peristaltic pump 3 (expressed in RPM).
  • the present Applicant has realized that it is possible to determine a linear relationship between the frequency of the various harmonics of the charge variation signal S Q and the rotation speed of the peristaltic pump 3 (as shown in Figures 4B and 5B , again for the cases of water and, respectively, air in the tube 2).
  • the four most significant harmonics (HARM#1-HARM#4), that is the ones having the greatest information content (in other words, greater amplitude) are considered, among the various harmonics of the charge variation signal S Q .
  • the amplitude of the aforementioned most significant harmonics of the charge variation signal S Q at the various rotation speeds of the peristaltic pump 3 is indicative of the type of fluid that flows in the tube 2.
  • Figures 6A-6C show the amplitude values of the main harmonics of the charge variation signal S Q , both in case of water and in case of air in the tube 2 (again, four most significant harmonics are considered, by way of example, at the frequencies indicated by the "dots"), for three exemplary rotation speed values of the peristaltic pump 3 (in the example, 15, 45 and 90 RPM). From the plots it is apparent that the amplitude trends at the various rotation speeds are significantly different depending on the type of fluid, in the example water or air, being present in the tube 2.
  • the rotation speed of the rotor 4 of the peristaltic pump 3 is set to a first desired calibration value (minimum value); it should be noted that this operation will then be repeated for each desired calibration value for the rotation speed of the rotor 4 of the peristaltic pump 3 (up to a maximum value).
  • step 21 the charge variation signal S Q provided by the signal processing stage 8 is acquired, for example with an acquisition frequency of about 200 Hz.
  • This charge variation signal S Q is subject to filtering, for example of a low-pass type (for example with cut-off frequency at 30 Hz), to remove noise components (for example at the power supply frequency, 50Hz or 60Hz), step 22, and the transformation in the frequency domain thereof is then carried out, as shown in step 23.
  • filtering for example of a low-pass type (for example with cut-off frequency at 30 Hz), to remove noise components (for example at the power supply frequency, 50Hz or 60Hz), step 22, and the transformation in the frequency domain thereof is then carried out, as shown in step 23.
  • a FFT Fourier transform of the charge variation signal S Q is performed to obtain the frequency spectrum thereof.
  • each calculated spectrum is, in this case, inserted in a row of a two-dimensional array structure, which acts as a scrolling buffer (when the array is filled, a new row is inserted at the top and the oldest is deleted).
  • each column of the array represents the trend of a harmonic over time: the first column the lower frequency harmonic, the last column the higher frequency harmonic.
  • step 25 the peaks in the frequency spectrum of the charge variation signal S Q are identified (using a suitable threshold identification operation), these peaks corresponding to the most significant harmonics of the charge variation signal S Q .
  • a suitable threshold identification operation for example, four peaks and four corresponding most significant harmonics of the charge variation signal S Q are identified.
  • the frequency and, respectively, amplitude values thereof are determined.
  • This set of values may be expressed and stored in the form of tables, respectively for the frequency and amplitude values for the various harmonics and for the various rotation speeds.
  • step 28 the calibration process ends, as shown in step 28, with the generation of a corresponding calibration curve for each of the most significant harmonics of the charge variation signal S Q , for example through a linear regression operation of the acquired frequency values at the various rotation speeds of the peristaltic pump 3.
  • these calibration curves show the linear trend of the frequency value of the aforementioned most significant harmonics (in the example, again four in number), as the rotation speed (RPM) of the rotor 4 of the peristaltic pump 3 varies.
  • the slope and the intercept of the interpolating straight line are calculated (for example through the aforementioned linear regression operation) and stored.
  • the aforementioned calibration operations may be performed by the processing unit 10 or by a different calibration apparatus, the set of calibration data (the aforementioned frequency and amplitude tables and the aforementioned calibration curves) being subsequently suitably stored in the same processing unit 10 for subsequent use during actual flow measurement steps.
  • multiple sets of calibration data may be stored in the same processing unit 10, for example depending on the different types of fluid (for example water or air) that may be present in the tube 2, or on different configurations or characteristics of the same tube 2 and/or of the peristaltic pump 3.
  • fluid for example water or air
  • Figure 9A shows, purely by way of example, a table of amplitude values for the various considered harmonics and for the various rotation speeds in case water is present in the tube 2. As previously indicated, similar tables may be determined for the frequency values and for the various types of fluid in the tube 2; for example, Figure 9B shows a respective table of amplitude values for the various considered harmonics in case air is present in the tube 2.
  • a first step 30 the charge variation signal S Q provided by the signal processing stage 8 is acquired, during the actual operation of the peristaltic pump 3 and of the associated fluidic circuit.
  • the aforementioned charge variation signal S Q is then transformed and processed in the frequency domain, step 31, to obtain the so-called "fingerprint", and in particular to obtain the frequency and amplitude values of the most significant harmonics (advantageously, the same harmonics that have been characterized during the preliminary calibration process, through similar processing operations).
  • a table of spectral values (frequencies and amplitudes of the significant harmonics) is obtained, depicted by way of example in step 32 (referring again, as an example, to four significant harmonics).
  • the corresponding speed value of the rotor 4 of the peristaltic pump 3 is associated with the frequency value measured for each harmonic, as shown by way of example in step 33 (wherein the speeds for the four most significant harmonics are indicated with RPM1, RPM2, RPM3, RPM4).
  • a corresponding speed value of the rotor 4 of the peristaltic pump 3 is determined for each of the frequency values obtained in step 32.
  • the corresponding speed value RPM1 (87.7) is the speed value corresponding to the frequency value 3.7 in the curve HARM#1 in Figure 8 .
  • the corresponding speed value RPM1 (90) is the speed value corresponding to the frequency value 7.6 in the curve HARM#2 in Figure 8 .
  • the corresponding speed value RPM1 (89.6) is the speed value corresponding to the frequency value 15.2 in the curve HARM#3 in Figure 8 .
  • the corresponding speed value RPM1 (89.6) is the speed value corresponding to the frequency value 19 in the curve HARM#4 in Figure 8 .
  • step 34 the rotation speed values of the rotor 4 thus determined for the various harmonics (RPM1, RPM2, RPM3, RPM4) are averaged, obtaining an average rotation speed value AVG.
  • This average may be a classic average (which, in the shown example, returns a value of 89.2 RPM) or a weighted average, in case assigning different weights to the various harmonics might be advantageous (for example, in the event that the frequency values determined during the calibration step are considered more or less reliable, for example because of being affected by noise or other variability).
  • step 35 using the average rotation speed value AVG and considering the design data of the peristaltic pump 3 (for example as reported in a corresponding datasheet) and the dimensions, in particular the diameter, of the tube 2, the value of flow rate inside the same tube 2 is determined.
  • a linear regression operation may be required to obtain a straight line equation from the information provided only for a few rotation speeds (RPM), allowing the flow rate value to be seamlessly obtained for any rotation speed value of the rotor 4.
  • step 36 considering the average rotation speed value AVG and the calibration values stored for the amplitude of the most significant harmonics at the same rotation speed, the distances (for example of an Euclidean type) between the calibration values for the different fluids (in the example, air and water) and the amplitude values obtained from the processing of the "fingerprint" of the charge variation signal S Q are calculated (see steps 31 and 32) .
  • the distance (Ed_w) between the amplitude of Harm 2 obtained in step 32 (280) and the corresponding calibration value for HARM #2 in Figure 9A (282) is 2 (the absolute difference between 280 and 282).
  • the distance (Ed_a) between the amplitude of Harm 2 obtained in step 32 (280) and the corresponding calibration value for HARM #2 in Figure 9B (22) is 258 (the absolute difference between 280 and 22).
  • the distances between the amplitude values obtained in step 32 and their corresponding calibration values are calculated for each type of fluid possibly present in the tube 2 (e.g., air and water).
  • the Euclidean distance calculated for air (Ed_a) is an average of the absolute distances between the amplitude values obtained in step 32 and their respective air calibration values
  • the Euclidean distance calculated for water (Ed_w) is an average of absolute distances between the amplitude values obtained in step 32 and their respective water calibration values.
  • step 37 A comparison is then performed, step 37, between the Euclidean distance values calculated for the various fluids, in order to determine which fluid actually flows through the tube 2; in particular, the fluid for which the Euclidean distance is smaller may be selected.
  • the comparison provides for verifying which of the Euclidean distance calculated for air (Ed_a) and for water (Ed_w) is smaller, in order to verify the presence of water or air inside the tube 2.
  • the processing unit 10 determines water flowing through the tube 2. If the Euclidean distance calculated for air (Ed_a) is not larger than (i.e., is less than) the Euclidean distance calculated for water (Ed_w), the processing unit 10 determines air flowing through the tube 2.
  • the aforementioned operations may be repeated several times over time, for example at regular intervals in order to perform a repeated measurement, in particular a monitoring of the flow of fluid inside the tube 2.
  • an electric apparatus 40 comprising: the fluidic circuit, indicated herein as a whole with 41, formed by the peristaltic pump 3, the tube 2 and the fluid contained therein; the measuring device 1 previously described in detail; and a main controller 42 (a microcontroller, a microprocessor or a similar digital processing unit), for controlling the general operation of the electric apparatus 40, also based on the flow measurements and monitoring performed by the aforementioned measuring device 1.
  • a main controller 42 a microcontroller, a microprocessor or a similar digital processing unit
  • the electric apparatus 40 is configured for example for the transfer or dosage of chemicals for medical or industrial applications, for the preparation and packaging of beverages for food use or similar applications.
  • the processing unit 10 of the measuring device 1 may be implemented by, or coincide with, the main controller 42 of the electric apparatus 40.
  • the measuring device 1 provides for a passive detection (without any active energy source), requiring extremely low energy consumption (for example of the order of 1 ⁇ A).
  • the measuring device 1 has a limited size, of the order of a few mm for the detection electrode arrangement 6 to be coupled to the fluidic circuit. Furthermore, the same measuring device 1 is non-invasive and may therefore be installed and used in a short time (after calibration for the particular implemented pump model), without requiring any intervention on the pump or on the associated electric apparatus or the shutdown thereof.
  • the same measuring device 1 may be advantageously used in various applications, also being easily suitable for so-called “after-market” or “retro-fit” installations and “custom” processing of existing devices, that is to provide apparatuses initially not provided with this functionality with the flow measurement and monitoring functionality.
  • the possibility of identifying the type of fluid circulating in the fluidic circuit for example by identifying the presence of air in the tube 2, offered by the measuring device 1.
  • This also allows predictive maintenance evaluations to be implemented, since the presence of air (or of a different unwanted fluid identified in the fluidic circuit) may be associated with a failure or malfunction of the corresponding electric apparatus and in particular of the peristaltic pump 3.
  • the measuring device 1 advantageously allows the actual flow of the fluid circulating in the fluidic circuit to be verified, even in the event that the rotor 4 of the peristaltic pump 3 rotates correctly but there are problems in the peristaltic action of pinching of the tube 2; the measurement technique is in fact associated with the effects of the pinching of the tube 2 by the peristaltic pump 3 and not with the rotation of the rotor 4 of the same pump.
  • the present solution applies to any type of peristaltic pump 3 and for any configuration and arrangement of the roller elements 5 thereof.
  • Different types of tube 2 different materials and different fluids circulating in the associated fluidic circuit may also be provided.
  • the detection electrode arrangement 6 may be provided for the detection electrode arrangement 6 to be coupled to the tube 2, which in any case allow the detection of the electrostatic charge variation associated with the action of the peristaltic pump 3 on the same tube 2.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Measuring Volume Flow (AREA)
  • Reciprocating Pumps (AREA)
EP21207025.4A 2020-11-09 2021-11-08 Dispositif et procédé de mesure de l'écoulement d'un fluide dans un tube déplacé par une pompe péristaltique Active EP3995788B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT202000026666 2020-11-09

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3995788A1 true EP3995788A1 (fr) 2022-05-11
EP3995788B1 EP3995788B1 (fr) 2023-10-11

Family

ID=74184832

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP21207025.4A Active EP3995788B1 (fr) 2020-11-09 2021-11-08 Dispositif et procédé de mesure de l'écoulement d'un fluide dans un tube déplacé par une pompe péristaltique

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (2) US11946467B2 (fr)
EP (1) EP3995788B1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0274768A1 (fr) * 1986-11-25 1988-07-20 Pumptech N.V. Débitmètre électromagnétique pour fluides conductifs ou diélectriques et son application en particulier dans la pétrochimie
WO2011080191A1 (fr) * 2009-12-28 2011-07-07 Gambro Lundia Ab Contrôle de la pression artérielle
EP2818128A1 (fr) * 2013-06-25 2014-12-31 Biosense Webster (Israel), Ltd. Réduction de bruit d'électrocardiogramme
EP3040019A1 (fr) * 2014-12-31 2016-07-06 Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd. Réduction de bruit d'un électrocardiogramme

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5215450A (en) * 1991-03-14 1993-06-01 Yehuda Tamari Innovative pumping system for peristaltic pumps
US20030153872A9 (en) * 2000-09-22 2003-08-14 Tanner Howard M. C. Apparatus and method for micro-volume infusion
US20070100666A1 (en) 2002-08-22 2007-05-03 Stivoric John M Devices and systems for contextual and physiological-based detection, monitoring, reporting, entertainment, and control of other devices
US7935104B2 (en) * 2005-11-07 2011-05-03 Medingo, Ltd. Systems and methods for sustained medical infusion and devices related thereto
KR101118984B1 (ko) 2009-12-02 2012-03-13 최용환 도어 개폐 방법 및 그것을 이용한 도어 개폐 송신장치
ES2534702B1 (es) 2013-09-24 2016-02-09 Ontech Security, Sl Sensor de campos electrostáticos y sistema de seguridad en espacios interiores
KR20160136013A (ko) 2015-05-19 2016-11-29 엘지전자 주식회사 이동 단말기 및 그 제어 방법
JP2018105622A (ja) * 2016-12-22 2018-07-05 テルモ株式会社 圧力センサおよび体外循環装置

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0274768A1 (fr) * 1986-11-25 1988-07-20 Pumptech N.V. Débitmètre électromagnétique pour fluides conductifs ou diélectriques et son application en particulier dans la pétrochimie
WO2011080191A1 (fr) * 2009-12-28 2011-07-07 Gambro Lundia Ab Contrôle de la pression artérielle
EP2818128A1 (fr) * 2013-06-25 2014-12-31 Biosense Webster (Israel), Ltd. Réduction de bruit d'électrocardiogramme
EP3040019A1 (fr) * 2014-12-31 2016-07-06 Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd. Réduction de bruit d'un électrocardiogramme

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20240191708A1 (en) 2024-06-13
US20220145873A1 (en) 2022-05-12
EP3995788B1 (fr) 2023-10-11
US11946467B2 (en) 2024-04-02

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
AU729354B2 (en) Impedance-to-voltage converter
US9182258B2 (en) Variable frequency magnetic flowmeter
TWI779190B (zh) 具有振盪感測器之非接觸式ｄｃ電壓測量裝置
Hammer et al. The spatial filtering effect of capacitance transducer electrodes (flow measurement)
JP4519463B2 (ja) 圧電センサの診断
Rahman et al. A review on electrical capacitance tomography sensor development
EP3488192B1 (fr) Débitmètre à tourbillons à intrusion réduite dans le processus
WO1985001795A1 (fr) Debitmetre detectant une charge electrique
KR100418305B1 (ko) 전자계로 유체를 처리하는 장치
JPH08503077A (ja) 位相角差から流量を決定する磁気流量計
EP3995788A1 (fr) Dispositif et procédé de mesure de l'écoulement d'un fluide dans un tube déplacé par une pompe péristaltique
Hu et al. Simultaneous measurement of belt speed and vibration through electrostatic sensing and data fusion
Wang et al. Comparison of single and double electrostatic sensors for rotational speed measurement
RU2471154C1 (ru) Шариковый первичный преобразователь расхода электропроводной жидкости
JP2021015119A (ja) 測定装置、測定方法およびプログラム
Wang et al. Radial vibration measurement of rotary shafts through electrostatic sensing and Hilbert-Huang Transform
CN104677484B (zh) 使用电容器的振动及动态加速度感测
Amare Design of an electromagnetic flowmeter for insulating liquids
JP2010237028A (ja) 湿度計測装置
CN207557052U (zh) 一种气固两相流局部颗粒速度的平面电容阵列测量装置
JP6452062B2 (ja) 粉体流量測定装置および粉体流量測定方法
Heming et al. Particle velocity measurement using linear capacitive sensor matrix
CN112771363A (zh) 颗粒浓度传感器
EP3844461A1 (fr) Capteur non invasif de débitmètre à vortex
RU2777291C1 (ru) Шариковый расходомер электропроводной жидкости

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20221109

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20230509

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602021005791

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20231019

Year of fee payment: 3

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG9D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20231011

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 1620633

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20231011

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231011

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240112

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240211

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231011

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231011

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231011

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231011

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240211

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240112

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231011

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240111

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231011

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240212

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231011

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231011

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231011

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240111

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231011

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231011